Auditorium of the Otto Friedrich University Bamberg in Germany by Deubzer King + Rimmel Architects

Article source: Deubzer King + Rimmel Architects 

The interior of the 14th century Dominican church is used as an assembly hall at the University of Bamberg. In the 1980s measures for improvement of the acoustics were taken. The side-aisles and the sanctuary were clad with a 5m high layer of wood-fiber panels on a wooden sub-structure. A gallery was erected in the rear part of the nave. The historical frescoes were partly covered by paint and are being restored. A complete restoration is not possible, and currently only parts of the frescoes are being brought to the surface.

Image Courtesy © Deubzer King + Rimmel Architects

• Architects: Deubzer King + Rimmel Architects
• Project: Auditorium of the Otto Friedrich University Bamberg
• Location: Bamberg, Germany

Image Courtesy © Deubzer King + Rimmel Architects

The concept of the complete restoration was to replace the previous acoustic measure with an almost textile-like, movable layer of walls. These flexible elements are reminiscent of a rood screen (‘Lettner’). This layer holds all the technical fixtures which are required in an assembly hall: optimized acoustics, a sunscreen against glare and a flexible use of space for lectures, exams and banquets. The offset positioning of the 3,5m x 8,0m wings of the steel-portals, creates the image of a ‘cella‘ – a central space. The historical sacral space has thereby been uncovered and can be read once more as the voluminous hull it once was; the contemporary use as an assembly hall is, however, spatially manifested. The entire interior is white – corresponding to the Dominicans habit. Pre-existing frescoes and colorful historical wall-paintings are appropriately presented in their original states. The old sacristy has been turned into a cloak-room and the southern part of the cloister serves as the catering facilities. The main entrance is now the former ‘Domenikus’-chapel. The central column of this chapel has been exposed, at ground-floor level. The chapel has been furnished with a transparent façade, making the new assembly hall visible in the urban environment.

Image Courtesy © Deubzer King + Rimmel Architects

Image Courtesy © Deubzer King + Rimmel Architects

Image Courtesy © Deubzer King + Rimmel Architects

Image Courtesy © Deubzer King + Rimmel Architects

Image Courtesy © Deubzer King + Rimmel Architects

Image Courtesy © Deubzer King + Rimmel Architects

Image Courtesy © Deubzer King + Rimmel Architects

Image Courtesy © Deubzer King + Rimmel Architects

Image Courtesy © Deubzer King + Rimmel Architects

Image Courtesy © Deubzer King + Rimmel Architects

Image Courtesy © Deubzer King + Rimmel Architects

Tags: Bamberg, Germany

Categories: Auditorium, Interiors

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